BENEDICTION by LU HSUN

INTRODUCTION

            The story tells of a love by two people that was blessed by the gods. Although they separate each ways they both cherished of the love they shared.

SUMMARY

          The story begins with the first person speaking who returned to Luchen, his hometown. He describes the values of his place and its customs in which he would willingly like to contemplate.

          For him, the incident with Hsiang-lin Sao has very much disturbed. He encountered her after visiting at the eastern end of the town. She seemed to be looking for him although there is an expression of tragic sadness that can be traced in her. He has seen the world and saw it as a man of knowledge and experience and she knew it. They treated each other mutually.

         She returned to the management of Old Woman Wei where she worked before and that was then they parted.

         For him, she was a blessing sent by the gods. He look at the time for it was the time of prayers and blessings.

CULTURAL STRAINS

        The following are the practices reflected in the story: to stay at one’s relatives is a way of reckoning…..’He stayed at Lu Su Lao-yeh, according to the Chinese family way of reckoning’; exchanging of salutations to every one you meet…..’we exchange salutations. After how are you?; practice of reverence, performing rites and pray before the god of benediction to ask favors for the year ahead and preparation of food that are placed in the altar; to conform what was written in the Four Books; to treat as an honor with one’s presence; practice of gluttony and laziness; to practice of remarrying; the bride is brought to groom’s home after wedding; and to attend celebrations for the god.

CONCLUSION

        China practiced celebration for their gods including the god of Benediction. They believed that it would bring them the benefits and favors they asked.

Rebecca Rodriguez

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PAINE’S THE DAY OF FREEDOM

The essay is an implication of the events made by the battle in Paine’s time. The revolutionary war bursted during his time and his speech (essay) was an inspiration to his fellowmen to fulfill their aims and win their aspirations.

         He is leading a revolution which aimed for an objective that America is a country suited for an Independence. A place where milk and honey flows that is plenty of resources and a strong continent adapted to stand on its own, let it be influential and powerful and independent in its own fulfillment.

         He encourages his fellowmen to learn and educate themselves between a colony and an independent country. Convincing that America fits to stood mightily and independently, which was explained through an explanation of his essay, his fellowmen fought for liberty through flesh and blood and with the understanding that being free was a better option – a more good choice for independence that is overpowering, successful, and being democratic – and the thought that independence was gaining a better and worthy living.

         His point in his essay was to convince. To influence his fellowmen and to adapt his objective and encourage them to engage their attention to the movement was the essence of the essay. Another major point of the essay which serve to be one of the cores of the essay was teaching his fellowmen to understand the idea of the movement and making them empathize him on his leadership on moulding an independent nation. Hence, convincing was the sentiment of Paine’s essay delivered through his fellowmen and his nation which stated a strong view on aspiring an independent nation.

            His linguistic style on his essay were indirect and a deep devotion to God are words that are expressed. There was an indirect construction written and his objective on his aim came out to be implied.

            In this sentence, Paine stated that a separation must take place for it is better for a man to stand on his own than to depend on his parent. There was indirectness for he compared the land America to a man who ought to stand on his own feet rather than dwell with his parents and be manipulated by them. The indirectness that was supported with comparison express a metaphorical device on this statement. The nation which Paine aimed to attain liberty was not directly stated but it was likened to a man…..’Not a man lives on the continent but fully believes that a separation must some time or other finally takes place.’ This statement was a reflection, somewhat a mere story, which Paine wished that it may be applied to his fellowmen so that the citizens may learn of their obligations…. ‘And this single reflection, well applied, is sufficient to awaken every man to duty.’

           His strong belief to God proved that his fate for fighting an independence depended on God and he believes that God is a mighty Being who will protect them in the battle and never leaves them…..’I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportingly to perish.’ This statement elaborated that Paine has strong piety for God and dedicated this essay to Him.

             His heartfelt words explained that his message came from pure emotions wholeheartedly dedicated to his fellowmen. It tells of an eternal heart that beats for his descendants and encourages them to be brave that they might save the whole nation even though they are less……’The heart that feels not now, is dead….’

            The aim of the speeches were attained for the motivation of the objectives that were reflected in Paine’s essay and forceful combative words that influenced and gave insight on the fellow citizens of Henry.

Rebecca Rodriguez

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HENRY’S GIVE ME LIBERTY OR GIVE ME DEATH

This essay is similar to the essay of Paine’s since the subject of both essays were to aim for Liberty. But the difference of Henry’s essay can be clarified through its tone, style and content.

          The essay was a speech delivered by Henry which relate of an idea about independence on how an independent nation would present in America. It is a discussion that an independent nation is a more acceptable, more suited for people aspiring democracy and more worthy to be dwelt by citizens who had an effort to build stronger nations. Clearly, in the title of the essay , Henry asked for liberty but the second phrase may explain on second thoughts by the speaker that if Liberty will not be attained, death may probably be well a solution to the failing aim. Henry is in the middle of battle while discussing his aim in his essay in which their objective in their battle and the content of the essay were synonymous….’we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained – we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of hosts is all that is left us…..’!

          He explains his objective in a direct point that readers perceived that the content of his objective came from the very depths of his consciousness. His strong, forceful and powerful tone reflects a combative feeling in support of his objective. The allusion used explain on an assurance that the goal can be achieved through the choice of words used and by motivating the act of combat independence can be attain.

Rebecca Rodriguez

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ANALYSIS of JONATHAN EDWARDS FROM THOUGHTS on A THUNDERSTORM

The essay tells about the author’s appreciation to God through nature. His concept about God in a manner of hearing nature as it speaks to him. His acknowledgement about God in his own different way. He had his own doctrine, as express in the essay, on knowing God.

         Jonathan Edwards  time of birth was in the period wherein religion experienced dead period. Great Awakening appeared as a saviour for the deadening substance. The organization aroused the religious spirit of the greater part of New England. Edward’s preaching was very largely instrumental in its first vivid success.

         The essay serve as reminder and a doctrine to people in order to return to God and to do good deeds ( I say to do good deeds because the act of leaving from a religion is not a good attitude). It taught people that what they dwelt and live with is nature and God is nature or He is in nature. It gave an insight to the people that God is everywhere and He is the one responsible for our lives and in everything that we do and that we should not leave Him behind but we should acknowledge, praise and adore or be thankful that He made us and inherit what we have.

            He is the one whom the people lived for and that people should look on to Him.

           God is good, mighty and responsible for our lives. He is supreme and he knows every detail that happens to us. He is as great as a thunderstorm that people are in His hands and he can do anything what he wanted the people will do – He can even manipulate us or even kill us.

Rebecca Rodriguez

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THE STORY OF TSUI YING-YING by YUAN CHEN

INTRODUCTION

          The story tells of a man who was innocent during his boyhood and had been searching for love. After an affair of two women, he finally found someone whom he engages into marriage.

SUMMARY

         Chang, a man who lived in the period of Chung-yuan of Tang Dynasty, had deeper feelings but was held in restraint and he would indulge in no license. He was shy and about twenty three he was not yet appreciating a woman’s beauty.

        When he went to Puchow, he met a certain of widow of Tsui whom he was related as second cousin. She was born of the Cheng family.

        The widow Cheng was very sensible of the service which Chang had rendered. She therefore provided dainties and invited him to a banquet in the Middle Hall.

        They were engaged but later they separate ways.

        Later, Chang met Ying-ying and also fell in love with her but to the disappointment of Chang’s relatives, Chang declared that he meant to break with Ying-ying.

        Ying-ying married someone else and Chang also found a wife.

CULTURAL STRAINS

            The following are the practices shown in the short story: to give services to a lady……’Chang rendered services to widow Cheng’; that a child is being idled with wearers of silk and gauze if his nature has been averse to intimacy……’since I was a child in arms, my nature has been averse to intimacy. Sometimes I have idled with wearers of silk and gauze’; to dress well by a woman for the services rendered by the man…’her dress was sober and correct, and her face was stern. She said to Chang, I am grateful for the service which you rendered to my family’; to give each other a letter with two people engaged to each other……’I would gladly have hidden your letter’; to use of zither as instrument for amusement……’she was playing on the zither’; and giving of vows of faithfulness ‘til death by two people engaged……’vows of faithfulness ‘til death.’

CONCLUSION

          The society of China accepted incestuous relationship. They believed that a man’s marriage is based on fate of intimacy.        

    

 Rebecca Rodriguez

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SPRING SILKWORMS by MAO TUN

INTRODUCTION

          The story tells of a family who was prominent but fate becomes selfish to them. Their disposition decline in a matter of moment and hold on to silkworm marketing which they wished it could bring them back the sufficiency which they used to have. However, their aspirations failed but sheer determination shows how humans should strive in order to survive.

SUMMARY

          Tung-pao and Chen family both flourished and were the richest in town. But gradually both families had declined. Tung-pao no longer had any rice land left and was more than three hundred dollars in debt. As for the Chen family, it was long ago ‘finished.’ It was said that the reason for their rapid decline was that the ghosts of the Taiping rebels had sued in the courts of the nether world and had been warranted by King Yama to collect.

        The last straw for Tung-pao was that cocoons which will be hatched from foreign eggs and it should actually sell for ten dollars more a picul. The colonialists are already stepping on the land and he is afraid that everything he own would eventually be foreign; the cocoons and the mulberry leaves. He noticed buds opening like fingers and assured himself that it would be a fine crop and would not result as last year.

        As the hatching days approached, the room for the silkworms had been made ready some days before. Tung-pao smeared a head of garlic with mud and put it in a corner of the room since it was believed that the more leaves there were on the garlic on the day the silkworm hatched, the better it would be in the harvest.

        The day of harvesting of the black ladies finally came and they prepared solemn ceremonies and celebration for it. It was as solemn an occasion for it was to inaugurate a month of relentless struggle against bad weather and ill luck during which there would be no rest day or night. Tung-pao’s silkworms weighed three hundred pounds after the ‘great sleep.’

        The silkworms had at last mounted the trees and fires were placed under the ‘mountains’ in order to force the silkworms up. Three days later the fires were withdrawn. The entire ‘mountain’ was covered with a snowy mass of cocoons. Tung-pao family expected a hundred and twenty or even hundred and thirty percent crop. The actual harvesting of the cocoons followed he next day.

       As they sold the silkworms , none of the factories were opened for the season, although Wusih factory accepted the offer, only a small amount was gathered.

        It ended for the Tung-pao family as having a state which is deeper into debt for their spring silkworms.

CULTURAL STRAINS

        The following are the practices that can be found in the short story: to kill a Taiping sentinel to make an escape….. ’it was true that his grandfather killed a Taiping sentinel to escape from the rebels’; celebration of the Tomb festival …..’the Tomb Festival over’; the culturing of silkworms and its cocoons are to be sold out as an earning to be used in their living….’they were mobilized in preparation for the silkworms’; to put garlic on the silkworms to be hatched to have a better harvest…..’it was believed that silkworms would give better harvest on the day it hatches when fed with garlic; to dedicate the silkworm with a paper flower and a pair of goose feathers…….’Fourth Sister stuck in her hair a paper flower and a pair of goose feather for the silkworms’; they are afraid to be contaminated with somebody’s misfortune and withdraw to this person to be successful in their tasks….’they would not even pass by the house of the contaminated woman’; when they discovered that the growth of the cocoons were successful they believe that the Goddess of Silkworms blessed them……’The Goddess of Silkworms had been good to them.’

CONCLUSION

        The story shows that the situation involved which is silkworm culturing is part of China’s life routines in building a culture which forms their living.                                 

Rebecca Rodriguez

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HYDRANGEA by NAGAI KAFU

INTRODUCTION

            The story tells of a man Sokichi and how he met his fair woman who is a geisha that even in her death, he still cherishes her.

SUMMARY

             A man walk through Komagome one day and met by chance a samisen player, named Tsurusawa Sokichi, whom he had taken lessons one day.

             The two talked about how are they these days and the man confessed that he had a shabby little geisha house covering his music before.

              The two went at the cemetery since the man visited a geisha whom he was fond of.

               As they walked along the nursery shrub, Sokichi related his story.

              Sokichi related that he had once a geisha before living in with him and her name was Kimika.

              Sokichi relates of the murder the geisha gets in Yosicho.

              Sokichi wondered about Kimiki on being so attractive to men and how she could get many of them in a minute moving from one to another. She was like a hydrangea, changing colors in half a dozen.

             Kimika told Sokichi that she had become friendly with the Shinnai singer Shimezo.

            Kimika and Sokichi became lovers. Neither wanted to put the other off, neither wanted to bore the other.

            Kimika’s house was in Kisarazu and she decided to go home for a while. Sokichi permitted her and gave her what she wanted.

           Sokichi’s infatuation grew longer and he wanted to keep her even a day longer as an ordinary woman.

          Kimika moved to Yoshicho and the life that they had together become a nostalgic dream. Sokichi was now able to give lessons since he parted with a geisha.

          Later days had passed, Kimika seem to be gone he looked for her for days and found a note from her on the table of his house which says: ‘I wanted to talk to you but you were out. I have to run. I will stop by on the evening of the thirtieth on my way from the hairdresser’s. Take care of yourself, Kimi.’

         A police told him that the murdered woman in the river was Kimika.

         Shimezo killed Kimika when she hesitates to accept the deal offered though she had charmed but her weakness failed her.

        Sokichi married to a new woman and both moved to Yotsuya.

CULTURAL STRAINS

       Japanese practices are reflected in the following:

       To sprinkle a ritual water to a tombstone; to use a rosary for prayers; to utter a passage from a sutra; a noodle-shop as fast food; and an arrest by the police to the murderer.

CONCLUSION

       The story reveals that Japan did have girls for entertainment and sensual pleasures but the geisha in this story is different because a decent man loved her and she did not agree to the conditions Shimezo had given her. Though she dies her picture would remain in the heart and mind of Sokichi.

Rebecca Rodriguez

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